Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

The VIN is the best confirmation since engines can be changed and may not be what came with the car. If the VIN was entered correctly, it is definitely a 1952.

This is very interesting. The title says 1951. It does have power brakes which was not an option until 52, but I just assumed that at some point someone made the upgrade at a dealership. I will check the engine serial number when I get a chance to confirm the year. It probably won't be that hard to get a correction made to the title if it is in fact a 1952. Thanks!

Probably at some point, someone thought that the year of manufacture was the model year as cars generally come out around September of the previous calendar year. If yours is an early one, it may have had date sold or something like that on the title and through the years that was construed as the model year but the 25 with which the VIN begins is clearly 25th series or 1952.

Due to the Korean War effort, any surviving 1952 (and probably not many as many did not survive) needs special care in the chrome as a simpler plating process was done that involved adding a clear-coat of paint to protect it. I'm literally just leaving for the airport so can't look it up myself to refresh my memory but if you take a look at the 1952 owner's manual it should show those instructions.

At the airport now waiting so looked up the owner's manual. Here is what it says about the chrome. On my own all-original 1952, the grill's clear coat was yellowed and peeling so I removed it, then had to take even better care after that!

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Here is a bit more info on the 52 chrome from the Dec 51 Service Counselor. It goes along with Don's reminder from the owners manual about the "war chrome".

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Thanks Don and Howard. This explains why the chrome bumper needs redone on this one. I imagine it's even harder now than it was in 1952 to get good chrome work done.

See the Registry entry is now for a '52 400(Patrician) Touring Sedan. for helping maintain the integrity of the Registry.

Good job! Don't forget to change to 25th Series too.